Monday, March 7, 2011

I received a review copy of Mary Beth Shaw's new book Flavor for Mixed Media: A Feast of Techniques for Texture, Color and Layers, hot off the presses from North Light. Mary Beth is joined by 15 well-known artists, all of whom share their techniques and tips for creating mixed-media works of art. In addition, a series of projects are clearly described and illustrated with stepped-out photos. The book approaches art much like a chef approaches food and this theme is carried throughout, even including a number of recipes from the author and the guest artists. Some of the techniques covered that I have not seen in many other mixed-media books include using clayboard as a substrate, using rubbings to create texture and depth, using a collagraph plate, working with Plexiglas, using alcohol inks, creating three dimensional paintings, and using foil as a background.

Mary Beth generously shared her thoughts about her experience creating this book:

When I was contacted by North Light and asked to write a book, my initial reaction was one of disbelief. You want me? Really? I wasn't sure. I mean as much as I had dreamed of writing a book (as a child I imagined myself as a writer, living in a fabulous coastal home), it seemed like the mixed media world had so many books and I questioned if I had what it took to write something different. I wanted to be sure that I could somehow add value to this segment of the art world. It sounds lofty and I was oh-so-holier than thou as I clung to that statement. Truth be known, I was scared. Really really scared.

The idea continued to roll around in my head. I didn't exactly 'decline' the offer, but I didn't exactly jump on it either. I pondered. And pondered. For at least a year, if not more. All the while still thinking about a possible book and contemplating if I had an angle. One day it was suddenly clear to me and I saw the entire thing in my head. That is when I called North Light back because I knew with such certainty and passion that yes! I do have things to say. Ha, anyone who has known me for 2 minutes had probably already guessed that.

Fast forward to the project phase, quickly followed by the guest artist phase, followed by the photo shoot phase followed by the Oh.My.Gosh I really have to write this thing phase. And looking at the computer screen day after day. Working and reworking every single sentence. Then scrapping it all and starting fresh. And getting a case of the jitters. Questioning whether my ideas had any value whatsoever, doubting my ability to pull it off, analyzing my sanity. Oh yeah, talk about second thoughts. But I kept plugging and finally turned my manuscript over, all the while never being sure if I had phrased any of the book in the 'right' way whatever that might be. I was a mass of insecurities, something I don't often show to the outside world, waiting for the edits, imagining the entire book would be rejected with a flurry of red marks.

Fast forward again to the day the advance copy arrived at my house.. I found myself nearly speechless. To see the final product, to hold it in my hands, to flip through it was nearly more than I could bear. Sort of an out of body experience, I really did this?

Before I was teaching, when I was mainly exhibiting at art fairs and galleries, all I ever wanted was for my art to touch people, to find some common ground where someone would be moved by my art. And looking back, I guess that was also my aspiration for the book. To reach a larger audience than I can when I teach. To share the things I have learned, to give others ideas so they might be inspired to make things and yes, cook things!

So now I am to the stage where I am getting emails and blog posts from folks who have actually made projects from the book. I hear lovely comments and see wonderful works of art that the book inspired and I could not be more delighted. I just have to pinch myself to be sure it is all real.

One lucky reader can win a copy of Flavor for Mixed Media. For a chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by Sunday 3/13. The winner will be on my Facebook page on Monday 3/14. Please be sure I have your email so I can contact the winner directly. Good luck!

Oooo! Yummy! Mary Beth is one of the nicest people I have the pleasure of knowing. She is kind and generous and a soft and gentle spirit. She works hard and is wholeheartedly supportive of her fellow artists. She deserves every success she has had and I hope her book does really well. I am positive she's added something of value to the art world by writing it.

I loved reading the process of deciding to accept the offer and then the o..m..g... moments that followed.It is good to know other artists have the same jitters... ;-)And if I don't win, I'll be buying it for sure!

Great post with your own review of Mary's book! I love that she was interested in writing "The Flavor of the Day" if she could "add value to" what she knows is already in print within the mixed media world. A wonderful summary by Mary of her book writing experience- and look foward to seeing if for myself!

MaryBeth your book is awesome! So lovely to look at and full of techniques. It's been so fun to get to know you as we discovered our books were on the same time schedule for release. Congratulations, you did great!!xoxoPam

Very interesting! We all should express ourselves, somehow. I'd love to explore more ideas from Mary Beth and others.Specifically, I want to create maximum cards with techniques from collage, scrapbooking, etc.I have this in my email signature [I took out the links, not to spam anybody, coz some people HAVE TO buy everything that comes their way...:) ]:"Philately (stamp collecting) in general, and maximaphily in particular, as a confluence of domains: learning, writing, web design, business administration, etc.""Maximaphily (especially the non-traditional one) could become one of the coolest hobbies, because it is at the confluence of:- philately (stamps collecting)- deltiology (postcards collecting)- marcophily (postmarks collecting)- scrapbooking (collages collecting)- mail art ("artistically-personalized mailpieces" collecting)When I say "collecting", I mean "creating and collecting". :)"

Hi Seth,Sounds like a fabulous book. I've just finished reading Sheri Gaynors Creative Awakenings...so many wonderful idea starters for living a creative life. Mary's description of the process was so honest and refreshing. I'd love to win!cheersTracyhttp://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com

Wow Seth- I've been out of the blogging loop for a while (long story) but I see you're still going as strong as ever. Fantastic to be able to catch up again. How's the publishing game going? Hope all is well. Oh and I have a new blog url: http://debrinaaltered.blogspot.com/Come on by when you get time to say hi! Miss ya!

I'm very curious about this book! During the past 5 weeks I was without any internet connection! If you can't send or receive any mails, nor visit any Blogs, or simply surf in the internet, you feel yourself really cut-off from the rest of the world! But since yesterday, thanks God, I'm on-line again!I loved reading this post. Thanks for the chance to win a copy, Seth.

PLEASE OH PLEASE....I am just new to trying my hand at mixed media and this looks like a must have on my list of books to get. there are alot of great ones and this one looks like it is on the top of the list. thank you for the opportunity to be able to win one.

Visiting this blog site is like going on a well needed vacation.. I get to escape into a fantastic magical world full of amazing eye candy EVERY time I visit this site!! Even if I were never to win anything ever... it would not matter.. just having all these wonderous things to marvel at is prize enough for anyone.. Advance congratulations to who ever is lucky enough to win the book!! Enjoy and savor every page :)